Wall Street futures rise as US-China trade talks advance

U.S. stock futures pointed higher on Friday as investors responded to signs of progress in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The gains suggested traders were betting that the two sides could reach an agreement and avoid a fresh round of tariffs.

Futures tied to the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average all moved up in early trading, reflecting optimism that easing trade tensions could support corporate earnings and stabilize global markets.

The market reaction came as investors continued to watch for any official announcement from either government. For now, the early move in futures signals cautious confidence that the latest talks could produce a deal, or at least reduce the risk of immediate escalation.

Even so, traders are likely to stay sensitive to headlines, since previous rounds of U.S.-China negotiations have often produced sharp swings in sentiment. Any setback could quickly reverse Friday’s upbeat start.